WatchHill

Generally cruise line shorex do not get raving reviews and are something we like to avoid. We've also had some terrible private tours, too. Coordinating a post cruise tour can be challenging and a bit stressful....do you really need to end your vacation that way? If the Princess transfer gives you an Everglades experience, takes care of luggage, and gets you to FLL in time for your flight, then IMO, do it. Darcy

We, too, purposely booked a late afternoon flight [to avoid the Saturday pre/post cruise chaos at FLL], back to BOS after our HAL cruise in December. To facilitate luggage and transfer, I booked an Everglades airboat adventure shorex on the HAL web site. We've done independent Everglades adventures in the past, but not on an airboat. I'm not too comfortable doing a kayak on the Everglades - those 'gators are too inquisitive and like to pop up to look at potential dinners. Check the cruise line offerings as this may be the easiest option. Darcy

The great "cruise deals" are no longer there. At one time we used to pick up alcohol in St. Thomas or on the ship. Now flying back home with heavy bottles makes the purchase far too expensive. Living in MA, a drive to NH State Liquor Stores was a tradition, but now a quick trip to Trader Joe's or Yankee Spirits [local], beats all options. We've driven into Canada and seens the prices for alcohol, yikes! IMO, for any cruise/travel related purchases, be sure to know the prices back home before you get caught up in the moment. Darcy

I called guest services to make a reservation to include my sister who is in another cabin. I felt like a criminal with all the required verification questions and can understand why. [A few months ago, a passenger shared too much personal info on their social media page with booking/res # and airline record locator numbers - scammer cancelled everything and had the funds revert to him]. Full name on booking, res # her mariner # and DOB. I also mentioned we both booked through the same TA and noted her OBC's and HIA perks. The CS person booked the 3 of us at PG and Canaleto on the days and time I requested. Later in the day my sister confirmed the reservations were on her navigator app. So, try again.... Darcy

I'm in total agreement with you regarding being able to "see" the details of OBC's and not need to phone HAL or our TA's to inquire. The unneccessary stress of wondering if the OBC's will be there when we get onto the ship, time spent on the phone, and inconsistent processing of the various OBC's by HAL and it's verification sources in absurd. HAL needs to take customer satifaction and care seriously and update their online system and app. We've been on lots of Princess cruises and find their web site and app easy to use, their medallion is great when trying to get into our cabin when carrying food and beverage. I love how the medallion can remain in my mini pocket book and the bar steward acknowledges me by name when he approches. His ipad picks up the customer info without the need for pulling out my key card, etc. Plus on Princess' own island, unike HAL's, my beverages are all charged back to my shipboard account. There's no excuse for the antiquated HAL IT system. Darcy

When you return the car to the rental center at FLL, walk toward the elevator/escalator and take it to ground level. It's near Terminal 1 where you can pick up a taxi to PE.

We, too, need to look for shade. Clam shell really doesn't do much because the sand will reflect the sun. Lots of sun block before we get on the tender and keep re-appying while ashore. DH, now under the watchful eye of Dana Faber Dermatology, said no baseball hat, wear a wide brim safari type hat. We only plan a few hours on Half Moon [it's not a long day for our cruise], and then head back to the ship and chill out in the solarium. The cabana cost on Half Moon seems $$ for such a short time, but our full day at Amber Cove will see us in one of their cabanas. Darcy

I'm with you and the need to know exactly where the total OBC's are coming from. Other cruise lines provide this info when you log into your booking, but HAL makes it difficult. Time for HAL to upgrade their IT system. Our TA was 'seeing" one total and a week later, a different total. When I called HAL, I was told, "You have a lot of OBC." After final payment our TA and I figured out and identified the stock, military, educators and AARP, and a TA added bonus. There was something called select state [whatever that is] and anniversary also added. After all this, I need a vacation! Darcy

From the Hyatt, cross the divided street and walk behind the ES; it opens onto the roadway into Harbor Shops. There's Total Wines and Publix there. Download the publix App and enter your phone # to use at check out for some lower pricing. The supermarket also carries lots of travel size items and wines. Great dessert selection. Total is next door. There are sports bars in the shopping area. Mezzaluna is across the Hyatt Parking lot - excellent foods. Or walk out onto main street, cross at the traffic light and head down Cordova into another shopping plaza if you want great traditional New England seafood - Kelly's Landing. Lots of other seafood restaurants in the area - the Hyatt staff can give you specifics. Darcy

No.

HAL needs to work on upgrading their IT system and provide better access for each of us to our bookings. Seems many of us are spinning our wheels trying to get the various OBC's and the success rate isn't great. On other lines, I can see each OBC and its source. With Princess, DH's military posts as soon as we book a cruise, and then I submit the stock request and within a few days, it's there. Plus I can also see any TA or cruise line offerings. The affinity programs offered by HAL seems to cause significant frustration - cannot combine, getting rejected, disappearing, and follow up calls to HAL provide nothing more than someone reading from a script. If HAL offers something to its customers, then they should state what can and cannot be combined. It's been a while since we cruise HAL, but when we booked, our TA said the military "might" be in the CCL system, but apply to be sure. That's when I discovered the AARP and educators OBC's. yes, I saw the "new bookings only" and wasn't happy to think I wouldn't get the credits. But I went through the application process and got the email saying verified. Our TA noted that the total OBC's changed a few times, and once disappeared when he adjusted the total cost of the cruise. So last week I submitted final payment and asked out TA what he could "see" on his HAL access. Got the military, AARP, educator, stock, TA, something called anniversary and a select state OBC. $950. buys a lot of Delft vases! We'll use the OBC's for the laundry package and upgrade the WiFi, and visit Shorex to credit back the cabana at Amber Cove. Darcy

BOS is my home airport. Whenever we fly international and buy anything at Duty Free in Terminal E, the item is picked up by the Jetway entry, in a sealed package/bag and marked as a DF purchase. Darcy

What next? Oh, you want a reclining chair on your balcony? Pre-reserve for 25% off, othewise pay full per diem prices! Seriously, Celebrity is just learning that the balcony chairs don't fit? DH always packs nail clippers and yes, we do have a few zip ties in our luggage - just a level of security for luggage transfer when I attach a tie to the zippers. Darcy

Based on what I have read here over the past few months, discussion with our TA and my multiple phone calls to HAL, it's a case of HAL not establishing clear information, shore side people not knowing the product and lack of consistency. Not being able to view specific sources of OBC's and perks on our individual booking doesn't help. When I book a Princess Cruise, I go online and see the stock holders OBC and DH's military, plus any OBC's from PCC and our TA. HAL's IT program is long overdue for a serious upgrade. When I did the assorted verifications for the educators, AARP, military and stockholder, the acceptance/confirmation came back within a few minutes BUT nothing on app or booking. My TA checked and said he could see a "total" that also included some "anniversary" credit and state perk. A few weeks later, the cruise priced dropped some $400, so my TA adjusted my invoice and all those verified OBC's disappeared. So, back on the phone with some HAL person who knew nothing about the offerings, so tried another phone call. Finally got the OBC's reinstated. Then I wanted that HAL person to book Pinnacle Grille and Canaletto for us and my sister who has a different cabin/booking number [we are cross referenced]. At least I managed to use the precruise shorex monies without issue. A few days later I noticed on the app and online manage my booking that HAL says we each have one more dinner to book! Duh, My app shows the two confirmed dinners. Can't figure out where this came from but won't touch it until on the ship in December. I feel badly that not everyone is getting the OBC's properly credited to their booking. Casino rates are another story and fall into a different category. Planning a cruise should be fun, not stressful. So I booked Celebrity Iceland to Boston. Darcy

Have It All is a misnomer that should be changed. It presents as an inclusive package, yet, depending on various booking dates/offers may or may not include gratuities or wifi levels. Then it doesn't work on their Island or at Amber Cove. That $11 cut off is annoying because my drink of choice, a Cosmo, is now $12. Oh, well, Can't Have It All! Darcy